Manchester City have been rocked by news that star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne is set to spend up to three months on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury.
The Belgium international is the metronome around which Pep Guardiola’s side is based, with the sublime star dictating the pace of the game for the Premier League champions.
There is no doubt that any team that loses one of its best players will feel the effects – but City are not just any team.
The Etihad Stadium outfit have a wealth of talent in their squad and although De Bruyne will be missed over the next few months, his absence opens the door for others.
Despite the midfielder’s injury, City are still favourites to become English champions this season for people betting at PlayOJO, with Guardiola’s men hoping to retain the title.
However, one man that looks set to receive more playing time in the City starting XI is Bernardo Silva.
The diminutive Portuguese attacker joined the Premier League side from Monaco last summer and was hailed as the next superstar in the Citizens ranks.
However, such is the competition for places in the City line-up, Silva only started 15 league games last season and is still far from guaranteed a berth in Guardiola’s team.
That said, De Bruyne’s absence will benefit the Portugal international, who looks likely to fill the Belgian’s berth in the side.
Silva’s range of passing, control, footballing intelligence and creativity would grace any team in world football and as such bringing the 24-year-old into Guardiola’s team will make it no less menacing.
The playmaker was the driving force behind Monaco’s momentous 2016-17 Champions League campaign, at which point he was tipped to become a global superstar.
While this has not quite happened at City yet for Silva, the next few months could well be the time that he evolves from a gifted fringe man to essential player in Guardiola’s thinking.
Although City’s Premier League opponents will be relieved not to have to face De Bruyne any time soon, having Silva as an alternative will be almost as challenging as the Manchester club look to retain their title.
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